Wichita, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Softball team began play in the Friends University Invitational against Hannibal-LaGrange and Concordia (NE) on Friday, resulting in a 13-0 win and an 8-5 win. The Spires are now 9-7 overall on the year.  

Game One

Allie Cox got the start in the circle against the Trojans, giving up one hit and one walk over three innings. The Saint Mary offense supported Cox by posting five runs in the first inning. The rally started with Alexis McDaniel's third home run of the week. Later in the inning, Natalie Bruce doubled to left field, driving in two more runs to make the score 5-0. After a two-run top of the second inning, Saint Mary had another big top of the third. Ally Dias and Cox each had two RBI doubles, while Jessica Strandlund and Audrey Spellman had RBI singles to give the Spires a 13-0 lead over Hannibal-LaGrange. Megan Brinkman came in to close the door on the Trojans, throwing two innings, walking one batter, and giving up one hit. 

Game Two

The Spires sent Desarae Chavez out for game two on the day. Chavez gave up two runs on six hits in five and two-thirds innings. Saint Mary jumped out to another early lead, getting three runs across the plate in the bottom of the first. The Bulldogs scored a run of their own in the second inning, making the score 3-1. McDaniel dropped an RBI sacrifice bunt in the bottom half of the second, and later, Spellman came across home due to an error by Concordia. After giving up another run in the fourth inning, McDaniel hit a two-run home run, and Brinkman followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to give the Spires an 8-2 lead. The Saint Mary pitching staff and defense were able to stop a comeback from the Bulldogs, who scored three runs in the sixth inning, making the final score 8-5. 

Up Next

The Spires will play Dakota State on day two of the Friends University Invite at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in Wichita, Kansas.